Are You a LASIK Candidate?

LASIK is one of the most popular vision correction treatments available. This advanced laser procedure has helped people all over the world reduce – and even eliminate – their dependence on glasses and contact lenses. The only way to accurately determine if LASIK can be performed on your eyes is to be evaluated by one of our experienced eye doctors. There are a few basic candidacy requirements that all individuals must meet before LASIK can be performed.

Good candidates for LASIK include:

Individuals who are at least 18 years old

Individuals who have had a stable vision prescription for a period of one year or longer

Individuals who are in relatively good overall health

Individuals who have corneas that are thick enough to undergo the procedure

Individuals who are not currently suffering from certain eye diseases, including glaucoma or cataracts

It’s important to remember that many patients qualify as candidates for LASIK; however, for those who do not, there are a variety of alternatives to LASIK that can provide many of the same benefits. These alternatives can include options such as Flapless LASIK and Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE).

The complimentary pre-operative exam at The Nielsen Eye Center is a thorough eye exam designed to evaluate your corneas, your overall eye health, and your LASIK candidacy. The Nielsen Eye Center carefully screens patients to determine if they are qualified for LASIK. Our practice is a state-of-the-art laser facility, utilizing some of the best diagnostic equipment available. If you are searching for options to correct your vision and diminish your reliance on corrective eyewear, now is a great time to schedule a complimentary consultation and find out if LASIK is the best treatment for your needs.

How to Choose a LASIK Surgeon

Take time to research the LASIK center you are considering for surgery.

The Nielsen Eye Center offers the following guidelines for quality care and treatment:

Find a doctor by getting referrals from other doctors or from patients who have had laser vision correction.

Don’t be fooled by fancy advertisements about a particular laser center. Choose the doctor, not the laser center. Find out who will actually do your procedure, then ask about that doctor’s qualifications (e.g., board certification, special training).

Choose a doctor who has done at least 4,000 LASIK surgeries. What a doctor doesn’t know can hurt you.

Ask for information on your doctor’s complication rates during surgery. If your doctor won’t tell you, find another one. For top surgeons, the figure is under 3 in 1,000.

Ask what measures are taken to prevent infection. Look for a center with a sterile or dust-free operating room. Make sure that disposable parts are not reused. Insist that your eye be thoroughly sterilized. Also insist that the surgical instruments be sterilized before your surgery to eliminate the risk of transmission of HIV or hepatitis.

Beware of advertisements pushing “low cost” surgery. Discount surgery is as good as a discount parachute. The potential savings are not worth the risk of receiving less than expert care!

Expect to see very well after LASIK, but don’t expect to see perfectly. Each patient gets a slightly different result. The best surgeon in the world can’t guarantee 20/20 vision. As with any surgery, results are as individual as each patient. Beware of any doctor who promises 20/20 vision.

If you feel like you’re getting a hard sell, you probably are. Go elsewhere. You’re not buying a car – this is real surgery.

Choose a doctor who is a fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Fellows must pass a rigorous board certification exam and conform to a strict code of ethics.

While you investigate, don’t lose sight of the benefits: for most people a lifetime of bad vision can be cured in 5 minutes. LASIK surgery has improved the eyesight of millions of people worldwide.